Conservation and animal welfare the focus of agreement between zoos

Talking points

Conservation and animal welfare the focus of a memorandum of understanding.

First agreement between Canberra, Singapore and Wellington for animal conservation.

The memorandum also focuses on environmental security.

Conservation projects and improving animal welfare will be the focus of a memorandum of understanding between the National Zoo and Aquarium, Wellington Zoo and Singapore Wildlife Reserves.

On Monday, Chief Minister Andrew Barr attended the first international agreement between Canberra, Singapore and Wellington for animal conservation.

On Monday, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Zoo & Aquarium, Wellington Zoo and Singapore Wildlife Reserves signing in Canberra. Credit:Karleen Minney

Mr Barr said the memorandum understanding created an unprecedented level of cooperation and sharing between the three wildlife organisations.

It will focus on animal conservation and environmental security. The institutions have agreed to eight key activities, including to cooperate to deliver staff training, offer staff exchanges, share information such as animal care manuals, conservation and sustainability processes, partner in conservation projects of mutual interest and conduct joint workshops or roadshows to promote animal welfare.

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National Zoo and Aquarium director Richard Tindale said the partnership would allow the institutions to work together in achieving the goals they have set.

"When you've got three significant zoos all binding together to achieve a common goal, I think we can achieve quiet a bit with it," Mr Tindale said.

"All our staff are very keen to go and see how things are done elsewhere because we're a little isolated here in Canberra.

"It will be good to be able to put people into two very significant zoos and let them experience what they do over there and bring back the knowledge that they'll gain from it."